In a recent development during the ongoing National T20 Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a 50% match fee fine on cricketer Azam Khan, for affixing a sticker featuring the Palestinian flag on his bat.

Reports suggest that Azam Khan has been cautioned by authorities, indicating a risk of suspension if he continues using the flag sticker. Allegedly, the middle-order batsman has violated clothing and equipment regulations by displaying an unapproved logo and engaging in political messaging.

The act, intended as a show of solidarity with Palestine, has ignited a debate on the board’s policies regarding players expressing political statements on the field.

Earlier during the world cup 2023, Muhammad Rizwan had dedicated the win against Sri Lanka to the victims in Gaza that stirred debate. Former cricketer Rashid Latif claims Rizwan faced pressure from authorities to delete the tweet which he refused to do leading to the dismissal of Media Manager Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, who was replaced by Umer Kalson. Kalson, the incoming media manager following Nagi’s departure, was already under investigation for his visit to a casino during an official trip to Colombo.